"Ha, banishment? Be merciful, say “death,” For exile hath more terror in is look, Much more than death. Do not say banishment.” -Romeo Pgs. 141-145

“This is dear mercy, and thou seest it not.”

The theme age vs. youth can be seen through the decisions younger characters make opposed to more experienced characters. All of the younger characters in the play make extremely emotionally driven, impetus and rash decisions. On the other hand, the older characters make decisions carefully and with logical sense.

“I think you are happy in this second match, for it excels your first, or, if it did not, Your first is dead, or twere as good he were As living here and you no use of him” The Nurse p. 171-173

Friar Lawrence gives Romeo advice on marriage; that if he loves hard and swift it will end up burning out but slow is too slow. The key is to long-lasting love is moderation.

"And say'st thou yet that exile is not death?... But 'banished' to kill me?--'banished'?"

Friar Lawrence tries to convince Romeo that being banished is a blessing not a curse. That Romeo is alive and might be able to see Juliet again one day. Romeo can't comprehend how not being able to see Juliet and be with her is not worse than death.

Hubris “It is more sin to wish me thus forewarn Or to dispraise my lord with that…myself have power to die” -Juliet Pgs. 171-173 Hubris “It is more sin to wish me thus forewarn Or to dispraise my lord with that…myself have power to die”

The Nurse says that perhaps it would be best for Juliet to marry Paris, because he is a better match and can offer her more than Romeo. Juliet does not understand, in her youth, the idea that Romeo in the long run doesn't offer stability or security, she is too run by emotion.

The Friar, in his age, can see how lucky Romeo is to have escaped with only banishment. He could have been killed and surely death is worse than simply having ot go away for awhile. However, Romeo is too blind and run by emotion to realize this.

The Nurse tells Juliet that it would be smarter for her to marry Paris and forget about Romeo. Her hubris will not let her marry another, debatably better man. She thinks of death before even considering marrying Paris.